Dishwasher with particle reclaiming



June 6, 1967 R. 1.. UMMEL ETAL 3,323,159

DISHWASHER WITH PARTICLE RECLAIMING Filed Dec. 10, 1964 2 Sheets-$heet 1V //V VE N 70/?3 RICHARD L. UMMEL WILL/AM E. KOEPPEN I48 BY ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,323,159 DISHWASHER WITH PARTICLE RECLAlMIN GRichard L. Ummel, Trotwood, and William E. Koeppen,

Eellhrook, Ohio, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich,a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 10, 1%4, Ser. No. 417,268 8 Claims.(Cl. 15-3) This invention relates to dishwashing apparatus and moreparticularly to dishwashing apparatus having articles thereinsimultaneously subjected to a combination scouring and washing action bymeans of an abrasive material in the washing fluid.

One characteristic of present-day domestic dishwashing apparatus is thatelaborate fluid distributing systems are included for producing a verycomplete washing spray pattern within a washing compartment in thedevice. Another characteristic is that the devices include a heatingelement in the sump region of the washing compartment to effect a dryingcycle of operation following desired washing and rinsing cycles ofoperation. One problem with most dishwashing apparatus of this type,however, is that it fails to adequately clean heavily soiled or scorchedcookware generally designated as pots and pans.

In the past, several proposals have been suggested for including a hardabrasive material in a washing fluid to obtain a scouring action indishwashing machines. None of these proposals, however, includes suchabrasive particles in a dishwashing apparatus having the elaborate fluiddistributing systems and heater elements mentioned above. The problem ofcombining abrasive pellets or particles in dishwashing apparatus of theabove-described type is that the particles either tend to clog theelaborate fluid distributing systems or, in many cases, are adverselyaffected by the heat output from the drying cycle heater.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide anautomatic pots and pans washer using abrasive plastic beads for removingsoil from severely scorched cookware.

A further object of the present invention is to improve a dishwashingapparatus by means of an improved system in association with adishwashing compartment for selectively directing abrasive plasticparticles into the washing compartment of the apparatus during itswashing cycle of operation for causing them to be directly distributedagainst the articles to be cleaned by an impeller located in the sumpregion of the washing compartment and wherein the impeller is driven bya reversible motor for driving an eXteriorly mounted pump forselectively draining the washing fluid and abrasive particles from thewashing compartment upon rotation in one direction and for backwashingthe particles in the sump during rotation thereof in an oppositedirection.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view in front elevation of a dishwashing apparatusincluding the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 22of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view in horizontal section taken along the line 44 ofFIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 5-5 ofFIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of a fluid distributing system for adishwasher including the present invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view of an electric circuit in the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIGURE 1, a dishwashing apparatus 10is illustrated of the freestanding, unitary, structural type that isadapted to have the appearance of a built-in appliance when properlyarranged within a kitchen layout. The apparatus 10', more particularly,includes an upper dishwashing unit 12 and a lower pots and pans washingunit 14. In the illustrated arrangement, the upper dishwashing unit 12is characterized by its high, wide and shallow configuration as definedby an outer shell or cabinet 16 that surrounds both of the washing units12, 14. The outer shell 16 also includes a front shelf 18 located abovethe lower washing unit 14 and forwardly of the upper unit 12. Below theshelf 18 is located a divider strip or control panel 20' for the units12, 14. In the illustrated arrangement, the upper unit 12 has an accessopening 22 thereof closed by a. pair of doors 24, 26. The assembly ofthe washing units 12, 14 is, more particularly, set forth in thecopending United States application, Ser. No. 408,232, of James W.Jacobs for Domestic Appliance, filed Nov, 2, 1964. For purposes of thepresent invention, however, the above description will suflice as tostructural details of the unit. Additionally, it is necessary to pointout that both of the units 12, 14 are operatively associated with agarbage disposer or comminnter 28 that receives waste from a wastedisposal sink region formed by the door 26 through an inlet chute 30 tothe garbage disposer unit 28 when the door is opened. The upper washingunit 12, as illustrated in FIGURE 6, includes a rotary fluiddistributing tube 32 for directing fluid into an upper washingcompartment 34 of the unit 12 and an upper rotary spray distributor head36 is located therein to supplement the spraying action of tube 32. Inthe schematic arrangement of FIGURE '6, fluid is circulated through theupper dishwashing compantment by a pump 38 which is connected by a line39 to the sump region of compartment 34 and arranged to discharge fluidunder the control of a selector valve 40 into a distribution system 42connected to the tube 32 and the distributing head 36 or through a line44 of a household drain. In the illustrated assembly, the dis-poser 28has an outlet 46 therefrom connected to the line 44.

In the illustrated arrangement washing fluid passes through a fill line48 that has a first branch 50 for directing fluid flow under the controlof a valve 52 into the washing compartment 34 and a second line 54 fordirectin g fluid under the control of valve 55 into the lower washingunit 14. In the structural view of FIGURE 2, the fill line 54 is shownas discharging into a sump region 56 formed by a lower bulkhead 58 of anenclosure 60 that forms a bottom washing compartment 62 having a rack 64therein for supportingly receiving pots and pans to be cleaned. In thisembodiment of the invention, access to the compartment 62 is providedthrough an opening 66 formed by the enclosure 60 forwardly thereof. Theopening 66 has a continuous, resilient seal element 68 formed at the topand sides thereof that sealingly engages the inner surface 70 of adownwardly and forwardly pivoting door 72.

Within the sump region 56 is located. a rotary impeller 74- havingblades 76 thereon for distributing fluid in the sump region 56 againstthe article supported by the rack 64. Surrounding the impeller 74 is anelectrical resistance element 78 for providing heat in the compartment62 during a predetermined drying cycle of operation. Also, within thesump region 56 is located a pressure switch 80 terminating water fillthrough the line 54 once a predetermined amount of fluid is within thesump region 56.

A drain outlet 82 is connected to the lowest part of the bulkhead 58 fordirecting fluid therefrom through a drain line 84 to a centrifugal pump86 that is representatively shown as being driven by a reversibleelectric motor 88 that also serves to drive the impeller 74. Toadequately remove carbonized soil from the articles supported on rack64, a predetermined quantity of abrasive particles are dumped into thecompartment 62 from a bead or particle dispenser 90 supported on top ofthe enclosure 60. These abrasive particles are driven by the impeller 74along with the washing fluid against articles to be cleaned to effect acombination washing and scouring action. During washing the pump 86 isdriven in a direction to backwash fluid through the drain outlet 82whereby the abrasive beads are maintained in suspension for cleaningdistribution throughout the washing cycle. One feature of the presentinvention is in the use of small plastic beads as abrasive particles toscour. Such beads produce a particularly good removal of scorched orcarbonized material or other soil of a hard nature from the outersurface of pots and pans being cleaned. Plastic particles most preferredare presently made from a polymerized methyl methacrylate and have anominal dimension of X A x A,. Such material is found to have a hardnessthat withstands several scouring operations without unduly damaging thearticles being cleaned.

Following a washing cycle of operation, it is necessary to remove theabrasive beads from the compartment 62 so that they will not be damagedby the heater 78 during a drying cycle. Thus, another feature of thepresent invention is the provision of a drain and reclaiming system forselectively returning beads to the dispenser 90 and discharging dirtywashing fluid to the drain line 44. More particularly, the outlet ofpump 86 is connected by a conduit 92 to a selector valve 94 that servesto selectively direct fluid and beads from the sump region 56 eitherthrough a return line 96 or a waste line 98 that is connected throughthe disposer 28 to the drain line as representatively shown in FIGURE 6.

The return line 96 is connected to an inlet 99 into the dispenser 90shown as having an elongated, semicircularly-shaped outer housing 100supported around an opening 101 formed in the top 102 of the enclosure60. The housing 100 is opened at the bottom and has arectangularly-shaped screen 104 supportingly received on the sidemembers 106, 107 of a rotatably mounted dispenser and support member108. The support member 108, more particularly, is carried on a shaft110 having one end thereof rotatably supported in a bearing 112 on thehousing 100 and at the opposite end thereof rotatably supported in abearing 114 at the opposite end of the housing 100. The shaft 110 at theoutermost end thereof is connected to a crank element 116 which has anoffset extension 118 connected to a rotary solenoid actuator 122 onbracket 120. Upon energization of the solenoid actuator 122, the crankmember 116 is rotated so as to cause the support 108 to move from theposition shown in FIGURE into a vertical dumping position whereinabrasive beads supported thereon are dispensed through the open bottomof the housing 100 and the opening 101 interiorly of the compartment 62.The support 108 is returned into its bead supporting position followingdumping by means of a return spring element 124.

For better understanding of the operation of the aforedescribedassembly, reference is now made to FIGURE 7 wherein an electricalcircuit 126 is illustrated as being connected across line L L of aresidential source of power. Following loading compartment 62 by placingsoiled articles on the rack 64 therein and closing of the door 72, adoor switch 128 is closed so that when a timer control knob 130 on thefront of the control panel 20 is pushed in, a switch 132 is closed tocomplete a circuit between L L through a dishwasher timer motor 134. Thetimer motor 134 advances to close a cam operated timer switch 136 tocomplete a fill valve circuit from L through closed switches 128, 132, aconductor 138, thence through a conductor 140 including the coil 142 ofthe fill valve to line L Following a predetermined fill cycle ofoperation, a cam operated switch 144 is closed to engergize a coil 145of solenoid actuator 122 to cause the support member 108 to be rotatedinto a vertical position to thereby cause plastic beads supportedthereon to be ejected into the sump region 56. Then a switch 146 isclosed to energize the motor 88 to thereby cause the impeller 74 torotate in a predetermined direction to cause the washing fluid in thesump region 56 along with the supplemental cleaning pellets or beads toimpact against the articles supported on the rack 64 for removing wasteand soil therefrom.

Following the washing cycle of operation, the motor 88 is energized bythe reversing switch 148 for reverse rotation to thereby cause the pump86 to draw fluid and beads from the sump region 56. Concurrently, aswitch 150 closes to energize a coil 152 that conditions the valve 94 todire-ct the fluid and beads back into the dispenser unit 90 where thebeads are collected on screen 104 and fluid discharged through the line96 is returned back into the washing compartment 62 for collection inthe sump region 56. Following a predetermined period of time, most, orall, of the particles are deposited within the dispenser unit 90. Thenthe valve switch 150 opens and the solenoid coil 152 is de-energized tocondition the valve 94 to direct fluid fro-m the outlet line 92 frompump 86 through the line 98 back into the disposer 28 for removalthrough the drain line 44. Following the initial wash cycle ofoperation, the fill circuits and drain circuits can be opened and closedto effect one or more fill, rinse and bead recovery operations followingwhich time a cam operated switch 154 is closed to energize the heater 78to carry out a desired dry cycle of operation.

By virtue of the aforedescribed structure and sequential controloperation, the user of the apparatus 10 can automatically wash pots andpans types of articles and then recover supplemental cleaning particlesor beads for use in a subsequent washing operation. The provision of anopen-type impeller 74 prevents clogging of fluid distribution systems inthe device, for example, those of the type used to distribute washingfluid in the upper dishwasher unit 12 and the provision of thecentrifugal pump 86 enables the plastic beads to be kept in a desiredstate of suspension in the fluid within the sump 56 during the washingcycle of operation and also enables such pellets to be rapidly pumped ordrained from the sump region 56 during a drain cycle of operation andselectivity discharged either through a return line to the dispenserunit or through a line to the garbage disposal unit for eventualdischarge into an exteriorly located drain pipe.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosedconstitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A pots and pans cleaning device comprising, an enclosure forming .awashing compartment, an opening in said enclosure for access to saidwashing compartment, impeller means located in said compartment fordischarging fluid against articles supported therein, dispenser meansfor directing abrasive scouring particles within said enclosure fordistribution by said impeller means against the articles during thewashing cycle of operation, a pump for draining washing fluid and theabrasive scouring particles exteriorly of said enclosure following awashing cycle of operation, means for separating said beads from thewashing fluid during draining, and fluid distributing means forselectively directing a particlefluid mix from said pump means to saidseparator means or to drain.

2. A pots and pans cleaning device comprising, an enclosure forming awashing compartment, an opening in said enclosure for access to saidwashing compartment, impeller means located in the bottom of saidcompartment for discharging fluid therefrom against articles sup portedthereabove, plastic beads within said enclosure adapted to bedistributed by said impeller means against the articles locatedthereabove during the washing cycle of operation, a pump for drainingwash-ing fluid and the beads exteriorly of said enclosure following awashing cycle of operation, means for separating said beads from saidwashing fluid, and fluid distributing means for selectively directingfluid and beads from said pump means to said separating means or todrain whereby a predetermined reclaim and drain cycle of operation areeffected during the sequential operation of the cleaning device.

3. A pots and pans cleaning device comprising, an enclosure for-ming aWashing compartment, an opening in said enclosure for access to saidwashing compartment, impeller means located in the bottom of saidcompartment for discharging fluid abrasive beads therefrom againstarticles supported thereabove, a pump for draining washing fluid and thebeads exteriorly of said enclosure following a washing cycle ofoperation, a bead dispenser located on the top of said washingcompartment exteriorly thereof having an opening therein communicatingwith the interior of said compartment for distributing abrasive scouringbeads thereto, fluid distributing means for selectively connecting theoutlet of said pump means to the interior of said bead dispenser or adrain pipe, and separator means within said head dispenser for trappingthe beads therein prior to entry into said compartment while allowingthe return of the flow of fluid circulated thereto back into theinterior of said washing enclosure, said fluid circulation means beingconditionable following reclamation of said abrasive beads to directfluid discharge from said pump to a drain.

4. In a dishwashing apparatus suitable for cleaning pots and pans, thecombination of, an enclosure forming a washing compartment, means fordirecting a predetermined amount of washing fluid interiorly of saidWashing compartment, impeller means located within said washingcompartment for directing fluid therein through out the interior of saidcompartment, dispenser means on top of said enclosure for releasingabrasive beads interiorly thereof following the initial fill period,said abrasive beads being distributed by said impeller with the washingfluid to accomplish a combined washing and scouring action on articleswithin the interior of said enclosure, means forming a sump region inthe bottom of said enclosure for removing washing fluid therefrom, apump for draining fluid from said sump following a washing cycle ofoperation, and fluid distributing means for selectively directingpressurized fluid flow from said pump back to said dispenser means andto a drain for removing washing fluid from the system.

5. In the combination of claim 4, reversible motor means for drivingsaid pump means whereby during the cleaning cycle of operation a fluidbackwash is efiected in the sump to maintain said beads in fluidsuspension during the washing cycle of operation.

6. In a dishwashing apparatus suitable for cleaning pots and pans, thecombination of, enclosure means forming a washing compartment, saidenclosure means including means forming a sump region within saidwashing compartment, means for directing a predetermined amount ofwashing fluid interiorly of said washing compartment to be containedwithin the sump region therein, an impeller disposed within said sumpregion, dispenser means for discharging abrasive scouring beadsinteriorly of said washing compartment following the fill periodincluding a screen member for supportingly receiving the beads andmovable into a position for releasing the beads into the interior of thewashing compartment, said washing fluid and beads being directed by saidimpeller against the articles to be cleaned during a predeterminedwashing cycle of operation, pump means for draining the washing fluidand beads from the sump region, fluid distributing means for directingthe beads and washing fluid from the pump back to the dispenser meansduring a bead reclaiming cycle wherein the screen member is arranged tosupportingly receive the beads and to allow the return flow of washingfluid back into the washing compartment, said fiuid distributing meansincluding means for blocking fluid flow to the dispenser means and todirect fluid flow from the pump to a drain following the reclaimingcycle of operation.

'7. In the combination of claim 6, reversible motor means for drivingsaid pump means whereby during the cleaning cycle of operation a fluidbackwash is eifected in the sump to maintain said beads in fluidsuspension during the washing cycle of operation.

8. In a dishwashing apparatus suitable for cleaning pots and pans, thecombination of, enclosure means for forming a washing compartmentincluding a sump region, means for directing a predetermined amount ofwashing fluid interiorly of said washing compartment during apredetermined fill period of operation, a rotary impeller located withinsaid sump region for distributing washing fluid therefrom againstarticles .in the washing compartment, reversible electric motor meansfor driving said impeller to eifect the fluid distributing actionthereof, dispenser means supported on the top of said enclosure meansfor directing abrasive scouring particles interiorly of said washingcompartment to be distributed along with washing fluid by said impellerduring predetermined cycle of operation, a drain in said sump region,pump means having the inlet thereof connected to said drain, said pumpmeans being driven by said reversible electric motor whereby upon thewashing cycle of operation there is a backwash of fluid in the region ofthe sump drain to prevent the collection of abrasive particles therein,said pump upon operation of said motor in a reverse direction drawingfluid from said sump region for discharge exteriorly thereof, and fluiddistributing means for connecting the outlet of said pump to thedispenser means during a predetermined reclaiming cycle of operationwherein the abrasive scouring particles are selectively removed from thewashing fluid which is then returned back to the washing compartment,said fluid distributing means including means operative following apredetermined reclaiming cycle of operation for discharging fluid fromthe washing compartment into an exteriorly located drain.

FOREIGN PATENTS 449,822 7/1948 Canada.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. L. G. MACHLIN, AssistantExaminer.

1. A POTS AND PANS CLEANING DEVICE COMPRISING, AN ENCLOSURE FORMING AWASHING COMPARTMENT, AN OPENING IN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR ACCESS TO SAIDWASHING COMPARTMENT, IMPELLER MEANS LOCATED IN SAID COMPARTMENT FORDISCHARGING FLUID AGAINST ARTICLES SUPPORTED THEREIN, DISPENSER MEANSFOR DIRECTING ABRASIVE SCOURING PARTICLES WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE FORDISTRIBUTION BY SAID IMPELLER MEANS AGAINST THE ARTICLES DURING THEWASHING CYCLE OF OPERATION, A PUMP FOR DRAINING WASHING FLUID AND THEABRASIVE SCOURING PARTICLES EXTERIORLY OF SAID ENCLOSURE FOLLOWING AWASHING CYCLE OF OPERATION, MEANS FOR SEPARATING SAID BEADS FROM THEWASHING FLUID DURING DRAINING, AND FLUID DISTRIBUTING MEANS FORSELECTIVELY DIRECTING A PARTICLEFLUID MIX FROM SAID PUMP MEANS TO SAIDSEPARATOR MEANS OR TO DRAIN.